At Emirates, children can begin flying alone as young as 5 years old, but they are subject to different rules based on their age group. For children aged 5 to 11, the "Unaccompanied Minors" service is mandatory. This service provides a dedicated staff member to accompany the child from check-in, through security and immigration, to the aircraft, where they are handed over to the cabin crew. Once they arrive at their destination, they are met at the aircraft door and escorted through the airport to their authorized guardian. For young travelers aged 12 to 15, the service is optional; they are permitted to fly independently on an adult fare, but parents can still request the supervision service for an additional fee of approximately $50 per leg. Children under 5 are never allowed to fly alone and must be accompanied by a person at least 16 years old. This tiered policy ensures that younger children receive the maximum level of "gate-to-gate" protection, while older teenagers are given more autonomy while still having a safety net if requested by their parents.